St. Louis Blues Individual Player Reviews: Ben Bishop, Ty Conklin, Jaroslav Halak
We continue to review the performance of the many players who suited up for the St. Louis Blues this season. We move on to the main roster as we take a look at the goaltenders and how they fared this season.
Ben Bishop: Bishop saw action for the Blues this season mainly due to Jaroslav Halak’s injury. Bishop was with the Blues from February 19th through March 7th and participated in 7 games, starting 5 games.
Bishop went 3-4-0 in those games giving up 17 goals and finishing with a 2.77 GAA. Bishop aslso secured his first career NHL shutout when he faced Edmonton on February 25th.
Bishop split his time in Peoria with another young goalie prospect in Jake Allen. Bishop and Allen teamed up to lead the Rivermento the Calder Cup Playoffs but the team was swept in the first round.
Bishop played in 35 games in Peoria and went 17-14-2 with 2 shutouts. In 4 seasons with the Rivermen, Bishop is 57-50-8 with 3 shutouts. Bishop also saw time with the Blues in 2008-09 and was 1-1-1 in 6 games played.
Bishop and Allen are the future in St. Louis and with Ty Conklin becoming a free agent after this season, Bishop’s time as the primary backup may have arrived.
Trend: Even. Bishop didn’t light it up in Peoria as he was outplayed by Allen. But his experience in the NHL evens out his steady but unspectacular performance in the AHL. Bishop will likely be the back up for the Blues next season and this year backing up Allen may have served him better than going out every game.
Ty Conklin: Conklin wrapped up his two year contract in St. Louis this year and finished with an even record. This season Conklin was 8-8-4 in 25 games with a 3.22 GAA and in his two years in St. Louis, Conklin is 18-18-6.
Conklin had his ups and downs this season but mostly downs. Conks had a three game win streak in December, with wins coming on the 16th, 21st, and 28th. Unfortunately he also had two games in which he allowed 7 goals, November 30th against Chicago and January 12th in Anaheim.
Conklin was selected to play for Team USA in the IIHF World Championships but is serving as the back up to Al Montoya. Conklin is considered one of the best back ups in the game and his steady statistics show that to be true.
Conklin will be a free agent this year and the Blues may entertain thoughts of bringing him back if management doesn’t feel that Bishop is ready for the backup job. If not a team is going to get a great back up and a great teammate.
Trend: Down. This was Conklin’s worst season since 2006 but he was still serviceable in net. Age is catching up to the net minder but he will still be a great back up for a team in need of a guy that can spell the main goalie every here and there. Conklin may bounce back next year but it looks like he will be a .500 goalie from here on out.
Jaroslav Halak: Halak came to the Blues in a summer trade and got his first taste of the super competitive Western Conference. Halak faired well as he went 27-21-7 with 7 shutouts and a 2.48 GAA. If not for a broken hand and some poor play in the middle of the season, his win total would have cracked 30.
Halak still set career highs in wins (27), losses (21), shutouts (7) and games played (57). Halak started the season 9-1-2 and had a 6 game win streak from October 22nd through November 6th. Halak would also have three separate three game win streaks, with one of those streaks being the final three games of the season.
Halak is currently competing in the IIHF World Championships in his home country of Slovakia and is the starting goalie for Team Slovakia.
Halak will be looked at to carry the team next season and after leading a team all year and playing for his country his passion and determination should be right at the forefront of his mind next season.
Trend: Up Slightly. Halak improved on is great season from last year but also had some setbacks with injuries and poor play during the middle of the season. As he learned the West’s systems, Halak seemed to gain confidence and grow more comfortable in net.
Look out for more player reviews and check out the results from the IIHF World Championships on our main page.
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I know this has nothing to do with your article but Peoria probably got swept in the first round because 90% of their team was up with the Blues. The Blues essentially were the Rivermen and the Rivermen were just the other guys.